Alta Mountain is a rocky summit featuring 360 degree views of Rainier, Hibox, and the Chikamins. The trail begins at Wolverton and climbs steadily through forests, meadows, and alpine vistas. This trail takes you to the top of Alta Peak (only 11,000+ feet tall), gaining over 3,000 feet in elevation along the way. Schedule a Tour. Wilderness Permit Tips (Alta Peak 7/16) BLUF: If you get a wilderness permit and pay online, you must then email that payment confirmation to the ranger office. The trail continues to be cut into the hillside, although the hill isn’t quite as steep. The path less taken is the Alta Peak Trail (right), although the Pear Lake trail (left) is an important one for winter travelers. The view from the top is outstanding. Heather Lake is, I think, the most attractive (if also the most ordinary) of … This ridge has at least 3 false summits before actually reaching Alta peak, and the trail becomes more of a scramble route about halfway along it, with some moderate exposure and minor scrambling required in places. But, you can see most of the park from the top on a clear day. Description: Though strenuous, this Sequoia hiking trail to Alta Peak is considered by many to be one of the best day hikes in Sequoia National Park. 5 hours), Lodgepole Visitors Center to pick up permits. This hike is a popular weekend overnight destination; so don’t expect to be by yourself in high season. The last two miles of the trail ascends almost 2,200 feet. The trail is it's usual muddy rooty state. Hiking in the Albion Basin, photography permit information, Alta Environmental Center Stewardship events, and summer trail maps for all of you Alta summer needs. Alta Peak Trail is a 13 mile hike with 4,000 feet elevation gain. Starting at either point does not differ much in terms of elevation or mileage, nor your permit pick up. Leave Lone Pine by… Time: Approximately 7 to 8 hours, round-trip. The rocky environment around the peak is strikingly beautiful, with sights that are unique to the alpine environment such as some fascinating alpine flowers and the rare Foxtail Pine (a long-lived relative of the Bristlecone Pine, the world’s oldest trees). There are several great places to set up camp along the way, including those at Panther Gap and Mehrten Meadow, but the hike to Alta Meadow is well worth the extra distance. Vehicles longer than 22 feet (6.7 meters) not allowed. This time of year water comes down the trail washing the roots and rocks and forming shallow mud holes. Alta Peak Trail Hiking Detail, near Lodgepole in Sequoia-Kings Canyon National Park. Summer at Alta. Alta Peak. Alta Peak 1 1204ft '3415m River Tokopah Falls —Heather Lake Elizabeth ass 1 1400ft 3475m Tamarack Lake Bearpaw Meadow 7800ft 2377m Crystal Cave 4540ft 1384m Road open summer Only. Scrambled up the Watchtower on the way back to Wolverton. Big Trees Trail Beetle Rock Education Center yucca GIANT Located 37 miles east-northeast of Visalia California. The trail starts off heading uphill before you cross into the wilderness boundary. It was 10:37pm the moment I rolled into the gloomy parking lot of the Lodgepole Visitor Center in Sequoia National Park. The summit is gained via a fairly steep, nearly 2-mile long, 2,000-foot high climb. We got our permits! The trail on which each route starts is listed and in many cases may be used only to connect to the main trail that will be used actually to reach the objective (i.e., the Alta Peak Trail can be taken to reach the High Sierra Trail for access to Lion Rock, Mt. Elevation Gain: 4,500 feet. It can be done as a long day hike, but is more easily enjoyed as a side trip from an overnight at Lila Lake, Rampart Lakes, or even Rachel Lake. We secured permits departing from the Alta trailhead on Sept 1, 2019. Your route sounds much more interesting though! For those who have not personally experienced it, the last 1-2 miles are pretty damn tough. From Rachel Lake you can access further adventures at Rampart Lakes, Lila Lakes and Alta Peak. The Alta Peak Trail is a showcase of grand panoramic vistas, most dramatically in the last mile and a half before the peak. Alta Peak is 11,204’ and is a ~14 mile out and back. Trailhead: Wolverton. But, it’s on my list. Alta Peak can provide it and more — with a modern, serene aesthetic, thoughtful amenities and an address that keeps you in the middle of perfectly weird and wonderful Portland. Rather than do a full write up for a trail that many are already familiar with and may have hiked this year, please feel free to jump in if … The 2020 permit quota season ended on 9/19. Fall colors just at or beyond peak now. Natural light illuminates Alta Peak’s bright and airy studio, one-bedroom and two-bedroom apartment homes. I've done Alta peak a couple of times. Camping is not permitted at Heather Lake, but backpacking permits are available for Emerald and Pear Lakes, 5.7 miles and 6.7 miles respectively from the trailhead. There are plenty of places to get clean water in this section of the trail. Consider continuing north (right) from the Rampart Lakes – Lake Lila junction for a scramble up Alta Peak to spectacular views from Rainier to Glacier Peak. Beautiful, fair weather day and glorious views of the Sierra. After another mile or so, you come to Panther Gap, with its nice views into Kaweah Canyon and of the Great Western Divide. The panoramic vistas of 11,204 Alta Peak are worth the hard work to reach the summit. Before (Saturday): Drive to Sequoia NP (approx. Last week, I felt it was finally time to revisit the mountain that started it all, the trail that slingshot my heart into a new phase of life, Alta Peak. No bugs or snow. The Alta Peak Trail is a showcase of grand panoramic vistas, most dramatically in the last mile and a half before the peak. Disability placard and winter parking for Sherman Tree. Because of its popularity, this is the only trail in Sequoia and Kings Canyon that does not have reservable overnight permits. Anabanana42 - Aug 2, 2018 12:16 pm Date Climbed: Jul 15, 2018 But the trail is more beautiful than I remember. It's funny you mentioned the summit rock at Alta. More erosion is evident on the old Rachel Lake Trail #1313. The rocky environment around the peak is strikingly beautiful, with sights that are unique to the alpine environment such as some fascinating alpine flowers and the rare Foxtail Pine (a long-lived relative of the Bristlecone Pine, the world’s oldest trees). The trail to Alta peak has a little exposure but it's not dangerous. This was a trip up to Alta Peak. Lodgepole Visitor Center 7:00am-3:30pm daily. After enjoying the views form 45 minutes, we continue our mission for the day, which is to summit Alta Peak and come back to Panther Gap to camp for the night. Residences that inspire. At long last we stood on the summit itself, beside a giant cairn, with simply breathtaking views. Alta Peak Trail Alta means "high" in Spanish, and Alta Peak provides some of the best views and high-country scenery within day-hiking distance of the Lodgepole/Wolverton area. The first time I was there there was too much snow even though I went in July, so I didn't get less than 100 yards from the summit. Modest route finding skills needed. Peaks: Alta Peak (sorted/filed as Alta) ; Place: California Difficulty: class 2, ice axe, crampons, helmet, snowshoes, snow travel . 24-25 Dec 2004 - by Rob Yang. Alta Peak can be done as a day hike or overnight. Admittedly, I haven’t done this hiking trail yet. July and August are the best months to enjo Most prefer overnight because of the time it takes to get to the trailhead and the length of the hike. (The left side of the fork leads to Alta Meadows.) Almost immediately after, the trail passes another junction on the right for the Long Meadow Loop.Continue along the main trail through mixed conifer forests as it ascends steadily for 1.9 miles to the Panther Gap Trail / Alta Peak Trail junction. It’s mostly uphill. Reaching these amazing views involves a long, strenuous climb gaining almost 4,000-ft. in 6.9 miles. We pass a pretty populated campground at Merhten Meadow. Excellent opportunity to do a side trip on the Lakes Trail or Alta Peak before meeting up with the High Sierra Trail. Pickup after 1 PM the day before or before 9 AM the day of. Beyond the junction with the Seven Mile Hill Trail, which connects the High Sierra and Alta Trails, the trail crosses the steep slopes and bluffs of the south side of Alta Meadow and Alta Peak. Alta Peak – 13 miles. Distance: 7 miles each way. Permits are only first come first serve, and they are available beginning at 1pm the day before your hike at the Lodgepole Visitor Center (I suggest arriving a little earlier to get in line!) A stunning panorama, encompassing the Great Western Divide, the Kaweah Peaks, the Tablelands, the Middle Fork of the Kaweah Valley and beyond, awaits hikers at the summit of Alta Peak (11,204-ft.). From the trailhead, the trail climbs up a small hill where it shortly passes a junction leading downhill to the Lodgepole campground. Outside of our quota season you still need a … The roundtrip is around 14 miles. Soon the trail reaches the junction with the Hump route, and shortly after that, the trail curves around Heather Lake. The peak provides some of the best views and high-country scenery within day-hiking distance of the Lodgepole/Wolverton area. Thanks for the report. The Lakes Trail, one of the most popular hikes in Sequoia National Park, climbs through dense forest to a landscape of polished granite dotted with four beautiful lakes and set amid a backdrop of rugged ridges anchored by Alta Peak (11,204-ft.). It's a fun "mini Whitney" hike from Wolverton. Alta Peak Trail. The trail to the left leads to the peak, while the main trail continues east to Alta Meadow. Hiked up via the Alta Peak trail, then walked down to Pear Lake and out on the Lakes Trail. Beautiful cool sunny day. 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